Is loneliness the same as being alone?

Abstract

The cognitive discrepancy model predicts that loneliness occurs when individuals perceive
a difference between their desired and actual levels of social involvement. Using
data from a sample of high school sophomore students, the present investigation was
designed to go beyond previous research that has tested this model by examining the
predicted nonlinear relationships between desired and actual social contact and feelings
of loneliness. Analyses indicated that support for the cognitive discrepancy model
of loneliness was found only for measures of close friendships. Specifically, the
discrepancy between the students' ideal number and actual number of close friends
was found to be related in a nonlinear fashion to feelings of satisfaction with close
friendships and loneliness after control for the number of close friends. Implications
of these findings for theoretical models of loneliness are discussed.